2022-23 District Polio Awards

At the Zone Institute, our District received not only a citation for the Rotary Challenge – but we were tied for End Polio Now District of the Year for Zone 29. To get the citation, we had to complete a submission documenting at least 1 activity in each of six categories. (We did at least 3 in each category last year!) To receive a higher distinction, a panel of judges reviewed the submissions and voted on the best in the category.

I want to thank the District End Polio Now committee: Christina Usher (Lincoln 14), Dan Reese (Council Bluffs Centennial), Steve Chamley (Council Bluffs Noon), Gary Bren (Omaha West) and Gary Bolton (Fremont).

I also have to thank the clubs that received an End Polio Certificates of Appreciation for donating a minimum of $1,500.

· Ashland

· Council Bluffs

· Fremont

· Lincoln East

· Lincoln 14

· Lincoln South

· Omaha-Millard

· Omaha (Downtown)

· Omaha-Suburban

· Omaha West

· Seward

· Wayne

Why $1500? Rotary needs to raise $50 million world-wide each and every year to get the full match available from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. If you divide $50 million by the number of clubs, that comes to just about $1500 per club. Please keep this goal in mind. And remember, don’t raise just from your members – try ways to raise money from the general public.

If you divide $50 million by the number of Rotarians world-wide, you get $41.67. I would like to recognize these clubs that gave less than $1500, but exceeded this per-capita giving:

· Omaha Night

· Council Bluffs Centennial

· Falls City

And being revealed for the first time, the Top three clubs when looked at by Giving Per Capita for 2022-23 are:

· Omaha Millard

· Omaha West

· Omaha Suburban

Lastly, I would like to urge you and your club not to wait until the end of the year to send in your contributions. Please send them in regularly – whether that is quarterly, monthly, or bi-annually.

Gretchen Bren
Rotary District 5650 Polio Chair
gretchen@brenonline.com